[778] Of ties with Israel
No Intention Yet To Establish Ties With Israel
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia never had diplomatic links with Israel so far and the government has no intention of changing the status quo in the near future, said the Foreign Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
"This is because Tel Aviv is yet to fulfil certain conditions, therefore there is no reason why Malaysia should review its current stand," he said in reply to Salahuddin Haji Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) at the Dewan Rakyat here, Monday.
It's a no and I agree with it.
Despite that, I feel it would be ideal if Malaysia could befriend every country in this world without prejudice; that includes Israel. All else being equal, ties between the two countries would benefit both. I'm sure Malaysia has something to learn from Israel and Israel likewise.
This isolation by Malaysia prevents economic opportunity that could arise from the Malaysian-Israelis ties from developing. At the same time, seven ASEAN members have diplomatic relations with Israel. If an Israeli firm wanted to invest in Southeast Asia, the firm would have to cancel out Malaysia and consider our neighbors instead. That would be opportunity lost; Malaysia's loss is somebody else's gain.
My wish to see ties with Israel however doesn't mean I support many Israeli policies. I disagree with Israel withholding the Palestinian taxmoney and landgrab the resulted from the separation barrier.
Despite possible benefits that might arise from Malaysian-Israeli relations, the world is not an ideal place. If Malaysia were to form ties with Israel, many would not be too happy about it. I'd imagine several Muslim countries would impose punitive measures on us. The simplest would Saudi Arabia to reducing haj quota for Malaysia. A more serious measure would involve economic restriction. Worse, I'd hate to see Osama bin Laden or any Muslim extremist for that matter to even speak of Malaysia, threatening us of an attack.
At the moment, it does seem to me that the cost of forming ties with Israel outweighs its benefits. I don't think an Israeli embassy here in Kuala Lumpur is worth risking peace that at home and Muslim countries' friendship that we enjoy currently. Hence, I can only agree with the Foreign Ministry's Parliamentary Secretary; no ties with Israel. At least for now.
p/s - Ajax 2 - 0 Groningen. First leg is won. Second leg in the Euroborg. Despite the 100% win so far in the playoff, according to De Telegraaf, Danny Blind is on his way out. Some are skeptical about that report though. As for me, I'm not sure about letting Blind or even retaining him for that matter. This season is a disappointment though some very good signings have been made by Blind for the new season.
Whether there is a diplomatic tie between Malaysia and Israel or not doesnt really matter much. It only affects the public, not really the businesses.
Many businesses in Malaysia actually have business link with Israel indirectly that includes Scomi (I do not have the proof at the moment but I did remember stumbled into it once while searching for info).
Do remember that a huge percentage of American businesses are owned by Jews and they have both American and Israeli nationality and passports. Many Malaysian companies including bumiputra owned businesses knowingly dealing with them because these companies are the big corporate that most Malaysian businesses willing to kill just to work with them (go figure it out yourself since facts can easily be found on Internet) especially in technology, communication and weaponery companies.
Once I met an Israeli tourist in Malaysia and I was surprised. I asked him how he can managed to come to Malaysia, he said he has German nationality too. He also said that it is common for Israeli have dual nationality and they can move around the world easily.
As for the issue that effecting the public, I know a friend of mine have to smuggle herself into Israel in order to be with her Israeli boyfriend, now husband. They are the victims of country's diplomatic standing. Please bear in mind that not all Israeli supports their government. Even there are cases where Israeli soldier committed mutiny when asked to torture some Palestinians.
By Anonymous, at 27 April, 2006 03:39
It does affect businesses as well as myriad of other items. If what you said is true, it's indirect link.
A direct contact will allow greater interactions between the two countries in many ways. All else being equal, direct link costs lower compared to indirect connection. Just like a good produced by producer A and consumed by consumer C with a middleman B. The market will enjoy lower cost if B is removed from the equation, don't you think so?
As for dual citizenship, not all Israeli have that luxury. And I dare say not too many enjoy that too, only a subset. A direct connection between the two countries will serve the superset instead where (superset > subset)
By __earth, at 27 April, 2006 12:38
wei jebai..harituh aku gi amsterdam..it was really great..
I didn't have enough time to go to the Arena..but I bought Ajax's away jersey..;)
By zeff, at 28 April, 2006 10:56
haha! Please tell me that kau skrang support Ajax!
By __earth, at 28 April, 2006 22:49
